Noise Action Plan

The Noise Action Plan is an important document for Manchester Airport. We have a range of stakeholders who have an interest in the airport and their views and comments are an important part of our planning process. We are committed to being open in sharing our plan and ensuring that it reflects the views of the airport’s users and neighbours.

What happens next?

We will now review all feedback to shape the final draft Noise Action Plan (2024-2028) which has been submitted to Defra in November 2024. This will be followed by a period of review by Defra, where the airport will work with Defra to clarify any points raised and agree a final NAP. The approved Noise Action Plan will be formally adopted by Defra in February 2025 and published on our website.

Q1: How do I find out about what is in your Noise Action Plan?

You can find details of our draft Noise Action Plan (2024 -2028). The full technical details are in the draft Noise Action Plan document and for an overview, you can watch the information video that explains each section of the draft plan. Both are linked on these web pages.

Q2: What is a Noise Action Plan and why is it needed?

A Noise Action Plan is a five-year plan to assess, consider and manage aircraft noise at the airport, to reduce impacts on communities living around the Airport. It is a key part of delivering broader UK Government noise objectives that are to limit and, where possible, reduce the number of people in the UK significantly affected by aircraft noise.

The Noise Action planning process operates in five-yearly cycles. The aim is for each subsequent Noise Action Plan to build on existing progress to manage the effects of aircraft noise on people.

The Noise Action Plan is our strategy for managing aircraft noise to reduce impacts on communities living around the Airport. The plan includes specific measures or actions, which provide the airport with a clear plan to ensure that the noise impact of our operations is reduced where possible or limited.

Q3: Have the actions in the current 2019 - 2023 Noise Action Plan been completed?

In the draft Noise Action Plan 2024 - 2028 you will find an appendix outlining details of all actions from the 2019 - 2023 Noise Action Plan and our progress against them.

Q4: How is progress against the Noise Action Plan measured?

The airport regularly reviews progress against each of the actions. Regular reviews are also completed with the Airport’s Consultative Committee.

Q5: Are actions legally binding?

Yes, Noise Action Plans are a legal requirement under European Union Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise. This Directive is commonly referred to as the Environmental Noise Directive or END. The requirements of the END are transposed by the UK Government in the Environmental Noise (England) Regulations 2006 as amended.

Q6: Can I share my opinions on the draft Noise Action Plan?

The public consultation ran from 5 July 2024 to 27 September 2024 and is now closed.

Q7: Who did you consult with during the 2023 consultation?

As well as the public we also consulted stakeholders including airport consultative committees, airlines, airport operators, local authorities and other key local representatives.

Q8: How will you evaluate the consultation feedback you have received and how will this be used in the final Noise Action Plan?

All feedback is now being collated and reviewed to identify key themes. Those key themes are then reviewed to shape the final draft which is submitted to Defra. We will publish a summary of the feedback we received in our final draft.

Q9: Can Noise Action Plans change during their implementation period?

No, once Noise Action Plans are agreed with Defra, these are legally binding for the 5 years they are in place. The only exception to this is in the case of significant change or development to the airport operation, where a new Noise Action Plan may be required.

Q10: Why does the Noise Action Plan contain so much technical information?

The management of aircraft noise at airports is a complicated topic, encompassing many different stakeholders and operations. There is not a one size fits all approach to a Noise Action Plan. To cover all aspects of noise management at the airport the Noise Action Plan is a detailed document.

Acknowledging that this is a very technical document, once the Noise Action Plan is confirmed with Defra, we will be including a summary document that provides a shorter overview of the Noise Action Plan.

Q11: When will the draft Noise Action Plan (2024-2028) be adopted?

Public consultation ended on 27 September. We will now review the feedback we received and prepare the final draft Noise Action Plan which will be submitted to Defra in October 2024. This will be followed by a period of review by them, where the airport will work with Defra to clarify any points raised and agree a final Noise Action Plan. The approved Noise Action Plan will be formally adopted by them in February 2025 and published on our website.